Josh Cooper

Josh Cooper is a political consultant and World Champion BBQ Pitmaster. Recognized as a research maven by journalist Maggie Haberman, Cooper has been a leading research and communications consultant for more than 20 years, advising state and federal Republican campaigns and officials nationwide. His background includes serving as an appointee in the Bush Administration and as a senior research and communications advisor to campaigns across the country. Cooper has consulted for the campaigns of Rick Scott, Ron DeSantis, and other prominent politicians.

Cooper and his wife, Gannon, lead JTKE Strategic Research & Communications, where he applies his extensive experience in political and corporate consulting. The firm provides political consulting, opposition research, earned media, and marketing services, utilizing data-driven solutions and industry expertise with proven media strategies. A former college football player, Cooper is driven by competition, whether on the field, in elections, or on the culinary stage.

Cooper transitioned from backyard barbecuing to competing on reality TV and ultimately becoming a World Champion Barbecue Pitmaster. He appeared on Season 8 of Fox's "MasterChef," where he was narrowly defeated by the eventual champion, Dino Luciano, and has made appearances on Food Network and Travel Channel. He was also featured on Season 2 of "BBQ USA" with Michael Symon on Food Network. His cooking philosophy emphasizes fresh, clean ingredients to create layers of flavor.

Cooper has achieved four first-place finishes at the World BBQ Cooking Contest, known as "Memphis in May," earning world championships in beef, sauce, and "Anything But Pork." He was named World Seafood Champion at the World Food Championships in Dallas, where his dish, Pan-Seared Scallops with Caviar Champagne Beurre Blanc, earned him $10,000 in the seafood category. He also finished third overall at the World Food Championships' Final Table in Indianapolis. Additionally, Cooper finished second in the seafood division and was Reserve Grand Champion at the Tampa Pig Fest, marking his fifth consecutive top-10 finish at the World Food Championship.

Beyond competitions, Cooper has served as a celebrity judge for local cooking contests and is a culinary contributor for INFLUENCE Magazine. He has also appeared on "What's Cooking with Chef Cooper" on Fox's AM Break. As a keynote speaker, Cooper addresses topics such as "Trust But Verify: Why Research Matters Now More Than Ever" and his journey from backyard grilling to cooking for Gordon Ramsay on "MasterChef" and becoming a World Champion Pitmaster. His experience bridges the worlds of political strategy and competitive cooking, offering a unique perspective on both industries.